Mounting device

ABSTRACT

A mounting device for mounting a snowplow controller or the like to the inside of a vehicle cab includes a sub-plate and an angle bracket. The sub-plate is adapted to be secured to the dash. The angle bracket includes a mounting plate releaseably secured to the sub-plate and a support plate, adapted to hold the controller, disposed at an angle relative to the mounting plate. In the preferred embodiment, the angle bracket is secured to the sub-plate with fasteners disposed through one or more slots in the mounting plate. Alternatively, the angle bracket is secured to the sub-plate using a layer of hooks and loops. The support plate is preferably substantially horizontal, but may also include a hinge such that the angle of the support plate may be adjusted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to snow plows and controls therefore and more particularly, to a mounting device for releasably mounting a snowplow controller within a cab of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vehicles such as pickup trucks and the like can be equipped with snowplow systems which permits the vehicle to clear snow from streets, driveways, parking lots and other surfaces. Normally, the height and angle of the blade can be varied to control the “float” of the blade and its angle relative to the direction of movement of the vehicle. Hydraulic cylinders usually raise and lower the blade and adjust its angle. The cylinders are, in turn, controlled by electric switches that are located within the cab of the vehicle, usually in the form of a “joy stick”, or a touch pad so that the driver can make the blade adjustments from his or her seat within the cab.

[0003] The joy stick is typically mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle where access to it can be somewhat difficult if installed at the wrong height. In order to vary the blade height or angle, it is necessary for the driver of the vehicle to reach forward and operate the appropriate dash mounted switch. Because multiple users often operate the same vehicle at different times, the exact placement of the joy stick or switches is often in the incorrect position for many of the operators. The need for the driver to reach in order to activate the snowplow switches is thus a considerable inconvenience that can result in the blade not always being adjusted to the most desirable height and angle. Moreover, when reaching for the switch, the driver often must take his eyes off the road, thus increasing the likelihood of an accident.

[0004] Another problem with the present mounting systems is that the snowplow joy stick/switches or other controllers are permanently mounted to the dashboard. As discussed above, these switches are often in an inconvenient position and often interfere with the operator entering and exiting the cab of the vehicle. Moreover, the switches often have cables connecting the switch to the plow system. These switches and cables create an unsightly clutter within the cab of the vehicle.

[0005] Accordingly, what is needed is a mounting system that allows the user to adjust the height and position of the plow control joy stick/switches within the cab. The mounting system should be able to be easily adjusted without the need for tools. The system should also allow the user to quickly and easily remove the snowplow switch from the cab of the vehicle, thus reducing the clutter and danger within the cab of the vehicle during periods when the snowplow is not being used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention features a mounting device for mounting a controller to a support surface. The mounting device includes a sub-plate adapted to be secured to the support surface and an angle bracket. The angle bracket includes a mounting plate adapted to be releaseably secured to the sub-plate and a support plate, for supporting the controller, and coupled to the mounting plate at an angle. The sub-plate may be secured to the support surface with fasteners disposed through a plurality of apertures within the sub-plate or with an adhesive layer disposed between the sub-plate and the support surface. Alternatively, the sub-plate may be secured to the support surface with a hook and loop fastener disposed between the sub-plate and the support surface.

[0007] The mounting device may further include at least one fastener disposed through at least one aperture in the mounting plate. The fastener threadably engages at least one threaded aperture disposed on a front surface of the sub-plate. In the exemplary embodiment, the aperture in the mounting plate is a slot wherein the position of the angle bracket may be adjusted relative to the sub-plate.

[0008] The support plate is preferably disposed approximately horizontal or at a 90 degree angle relative to the mounting plate. Optionally, the support plate may include a hinge such that the angle between the support plate and the mounting plate may be adjusted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting device according to the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the angle bracket according to the present invention; and

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the angle bracket according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] The present invention includes a mounting device 10, FIG. 1, for releasably securing a controller or switch 11 to a mounting surface (for example a dashboard of a vehicle cab) 12 and includes a sub-plate 14 and an angle bracket 16. The sub-plate 14 is secured to the dash 12 by any means known to those skilled in the art.

[0015] For example, the sub-plate 14 may be secured to the dash 12 using a plurality of screws 22 inserted through apertures 24 within the sub-plate 14. The screws 22 are preferably counter-sunk into the sub-plate 14. Alternatively, the mounting plate 14, FIG. 2, may be secured to the dash 12 using an adhesive or fastener layer 26 disposed between a back surface 18 of the sub-plate 14 and the dash 12. The adhesive layer 26 may include any type of adhesive known to those skilled in the art as well as a hook and loop fastener system wherein one piece is applied to back surface 18 and the other to dash 12. The sub-plate 14 also preferably includes a plurality of threaded apertures 20 adapted to receive fasteners 28 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0016] The angle bracket 16 preferably includes a mounting plate 30 and a support plate 32 disposed at an angle θ with respect to each other. The mounting plate 30 is releasably secured to the sub-plate 14 by any means known to those skilled in the art. In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting plate 30 is secured to the sub-plate 14 using a plurality (preferably two) of fasteners 28 (such as bolts) having a knurled grip 29 and which are disposed through one or more slots 34, FIGS. 3-4, which engage with threaded apertures 20, FIG. 1.

[0017] The position of the angle bracket 16 (and ultimately the controller 11 which is not part of the invention) may be adjusted vertically by sliding the angle bracket 16 within the slots 34 about the bolts 28. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting device 10 includes washers 36 and retaining clips 38 respectively disposed on both sides of the mounting plate 30 through which fasteners 28 are disposed.

[0018] Alternatively, angle bracket 16 may be releasably secured to the sub-plate 14 using an adhesive layer or a fastener comprising a hook and loop fastener layer 40 disposed between the mounting plate 30 and the sub-plate 14. According to this embodiment, the user may adjust the position of the angle bracket 16 (and ultimately the controller 11) by repositioning the angle bracket 16 relative to the sub-plate 14.

[0019] Support plate 32 is disposed at an angle θ relative to the mounting plate 30 such that the support plate 30 is preferably disposed substantially horizontally. In the preferred embodiment, the angle θ is approximately 90°, however, the exact angle will depend on the angle of the mounting surface 12. The support plate 30 may also include an adjustable hinge 50 which allows the angle θ to be adjusted about 180°.

[0020] Controller 11 is secured to support plate 32 by any means known to those skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the controller 11 is secured to the support plate 32 using a plurality of fasteners (not shown), such as screws or bolts, disposed through apertures 42 within the support plate 32. Alternatively, the controller 11 may be secured to the support plate 32 using adhesive or a hooks and loops layer.

[0021] Accordingly, the present invention provides a unique mounting device for a controller, such as a snow plow controller, that can be easily adjusted in height and removed when not in use.

[0022] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting device for mounting a controller to a support surface, said mounting device comprising: a sub-plate adapted to be secured to said support surface; a mounting plate adapted to be releaseably secured to said sub-plate; and a support plate, coupled to said mounting plate at an angle, for supporting said controller.
 2. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sub-plate further includes a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a plurality of sub-plate fasteners to secure said sub-plate to said support surface.
 3. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sub-plate further includes an adhesive layer disposed between said sub-plate and said support surface, to secure said sub-plate to said support surface.
 4. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sub-plate further includes a hook and loop fastener disposed between said sub-plate and said support surface, for securing said sub-plate to said support surface.
 5. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting device further includes at least one fastener disposed through at least one aperture in said mounting plate which threadably engages at least one threaded aperture disposed on at least a front surface of said sub-plate.
 6. The mounting device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said aperture in said mounting plate is a slot, wherein the position of said mounting plate and said support plate may be adjusted relative to said sub-plate.
 7. The mounting device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said mounting device includes a first and a second fastener disposed through a first and a second slot region in said mounting plate which engages a first and a second threaded aperture in said sub-plate.
 8. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support plate further includes a hinge such that said angle between said support plate and said mounting plate may be adjusted.
 9. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support plate is disposed at approximately a 90 degree angle relative to said mounting plate.
 10. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support plate is disposed substantially parallel to said horizon.
 11. A mounting device for mounting a controller to a support surface, said mounting device comprising: a sub-plate adapted to be secured to said support surface; at least one fastener; and an angle bracket including: a mounting plate releaseably secured to said sub-plate with said fastener; and a support plate disposed at an angle to said mounting plate, said support plate adapted to support said controller.
 12. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sub-plate further includes a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners to secure said sub-plate to said support surface.
 13. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting device further includes an adhesive layer disposed between said sub-plate and said support surface to secure said sub-plate to said support surface.
 14. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting device further includes a hook and loop fastener disposed between said sub-plate and said support surface to secure said sub-plate to said support surface.
 15. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting device further includes two fasteners disposed through at least two apertures in said mounting plate which threadably engage two apertures disposed on a front surface of said sub-plate.
 16. The mounting device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said apertures in said mounting plate is are slots, wherein the position of said angle bracket may be adjusted relative to said sub-plate.
 17. The mounting device as claimed in claim 16 wherein said mounting device further includes washers disposed about said two fasteners between said mounting plate and said sub-plate.
 18. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support plate further includes a hinge such that said angle between said support plate and said mounting plate may be adjusted.
 19. The mounting device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support plate is disposed at approximately a 90 degree angle relative to said mounting plate.
 20. The mounting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support plate is disposed substantially parallel to said horizon.
 21. A mounting device for mounting a controller to a support surface, said mounting device comprising: a sub-plate adapted to be secured to said support surface, said sub-plate including a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a plurality of sub-plate fasteners, for securing said sub-plate to said support surface; plurality of mounting plate fasteners; and an angle bracket including: a mounting plate releaseably secured to said sub-plate with said plurality of mounting plate fasteners, each said plurality of mounting plate fasteners disposed through a corresponding aperture slot in said mounting plate and which threadably engage a threaded aperture disposed on at least a front surface of said sub-plate; and a support plate, disposed at an angle to said mounting plate, said support plate adapted to support said controller. 